Means for stopping the forward movements of the foot in a shoe



Jan. 24, 1967 A. COLLINA MEANS FOR STOPPING THE FORWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE FOOT IN A SHOE 4 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Oct. 8. 1962 INVENTOR 14435270 C'a44/A/4 ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1967 A. COLLINA MEANS FOR STOPPING THE FORWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE FOOT IN A SHOE Filed Oct. 8. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG."

FIG. 7

Jan. .24, 1967 A. COLLINA 3,299,893

' MEANS FOR STOPPING THE FORWARD MOVEMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 OF THE FOOT IN A SHOE Filed OGt- 8. 1962 YINVENTOR lzaszro 6044 MM ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1967 A. COLLINA MEANS FOR STOPPING THE FORWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE FOOT IN A SHOE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

Filed Oct. 8. 1962 INVENTOR. ALBERTO COLLINA ATTOR NE YS United States Patent Ofiice 3,299,893 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 3,299,893 MEANS FOR STOPPING THE FORWARD MOVE- MENTS OF THE FOOT IN A SHOE Alberto Collina, Westwood, NJ. 07675 Filed Oct. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 229,525 7 Claims. (Cl. 128-581) This invention relates to footwear and in particular to footwear for preventing excessive pressure on the surface parts of the foot.

This is a continuation-in-part application based upon previously filed and now abandoned application Serial No. 792,754, filed February 12, 1959.

Walking, running or exercise may cause displacement and outward expansion of the feet and toes within'most types of footwear. Frequently, such displacement or expansion will cause the toes of the wearer to abut the inside surfaces of the footwear with excessive pressure resulting in great discomfort, pain and the formation of calluses. In some shoes abutment occurs even with the feet at rest.

Attempts have been made to avoid this type of abutment by flaring out the footwear in the area of the toes. If the footwear is flared out in the area of the toes to allow for lateral movement of the toes, additional provision must be made to prevent forward motion of the foot in the shoe, and excessive pressure on the instep.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved form of footwear.

It is a further object of this invention to provide footwear which will prevent displacement of the foot and the consequent injurious effects upon the toes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide footwear which is firmly and comfortably fitted upon the foot of an individual wearer while allowing for free displacement of the toes without discomfort to the wearer. This is particularly important for the outward movement of the great toe and the little toe.

It is a further object of this invention to provide footwear whereby the great and little toes can be at rest without touching side leather and can move outwards as far as they can reach without touching side leather.

In accordance with the invention, a relatively high ridge stopper may be provided transversely of an insole and is shaped approximately conformal to the shape of the foot at the hollow portion of the foot where the toes adjoin the foot. The lower rear portion of the ridge is spaced from the forward tip of the toe portion of the shoe a distance greater than the length of the toes in their most forwardly extended position, and spaced at a distance from the heel of the footwear to provide a comfortably snug fit around the rearward portions of the wearers foot.

In preferred embodiments, the toe portion of the shoe should be sufficiently flared and large so that the toes may be substantially out of contact therewith. Preferably, the shoes should be fitted so that the bottom of the foot is restrained on the insole and does not move too far above the bottom of the ridge stopper. Such a fit is secured by a pad within the footwear disposed above the forward portion, immediately above the ball of the wearers foot. adjustable strap or other adjustment means disposed for tightening above the ball of the foot, or the strap and pad may both be used. Thus, the bottom of the foot may be prevented from rising above the bottom of a relatively low ridge stopper and is thereby prevented from reaching an elevation at which its forward motion would be opposed only by the more distant upper part of such a ridge stopper.

hanced by adapting the shoe lacing to allow for the additional strap, and providing additional padding beneath the tongue. Padding may be disposed at strategic points within the footwear for more comfortable and stable wear. The tongue of the shoe may be made to extend to the toes for more comfort. The lacing may be extended for reaching just to the base of the toes and the padding may be arranged to provide proper spacing above the forward region of the foot for accommodating blood circulation below the upper surfaces of the foot.

Where adjustment straps are used in the forward region above the ball of the foot, there may be provided cutout or slotted areas in the leather material under the straps to allow the shoe to assume an adjusted condition whereby the snug fit will keep the bottom of the ball of the foot from rising above the insole.

The novel features of the invention are defined in the claims. The following drawings are an embodiment of this invention and it is intended that they be shown merely as an example.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe embodying the novel features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan section showing the position of the foot within a shoe made in accordance with this inven tion with the foot shown dotted in relaxed position and dot and dash in shifted position;

FIG. 2a is a showing similar to that of FIG. 2, of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3a shows the stopper fastened to the outer sole;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

' FIG. 4a is a showing similar to FIG. 4, of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a vertically adjustable stopper in its lower position;

FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view of a vertically adjustable stopper in its extended position.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan showing of a foot in a shoe having a limited transverse length stopper therein;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of a shoe, similar to FIG. 4a, showing a limited transverse length stopper, according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a segment of a shoe showing another modification of a limited transverse length stopper; and FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a rotary ridge stopper according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is presented a shoe generally designated 10 in the shape of a normal foot.

' A heel 14 is aflixed to the heel portion of the outsole The fit may also be secured by an excessive upward movement may be effected or en- 13 of the shoe by conventional means, not shown. An insole 12 (FIGS. 3-5) is secured to the outsole 13, and the upper portion 16 and toe portion 18 of the shoe are secured adjacent the outer edges of the insole 12. The concept of a ridge stopper 46, as disclosed herein, inherently includes the concept of separable or assembled structures for later insertion. This can be accomplished by a separately insertable ridge stopper or an insert-able ridge stopper and insole combination. The areas of the front of the upper portion generally to the sides of the outer toes are designated herein as the lateral sides 20 and 21. The section covering the heel or quarter is generally designated 22. Anterior and below the ankle of the wearers foot at the front of the upper portion of the shoe is a V-shaped opening 24 provided with eyes 26 for the insertion of lacing 28. The wearers footis protected beneath the lacing 28 by a tongue 30 secured to the inside of the shoe and extending upwardly and rearwardly from just behind and over the wearers toes (see FIG. 3) to lie beneath the shoe lacing.

Behind the toe portion 18 and in front of the opening 24 on either side of the front of the upper portion 16, two rectangular flaps 32 and 34 are secured as by stitching at one end to the lateral sides 20 and 21. Each flap 32 and 34 is provided with a strap 36 and 38 secured thereto. Strap 36 is provided with eyes 41, and strap 38 is provided with a buckle 40. The strap 36 and the buckle 40 are adaptedto fit each other and provide a means for snugly circumposing the front of the upper portion 16 above the ball of the wearers foot. A rectangular pad 45 extending inside of the upper portion 16 from one lateral side 20 to the other lateral side 21 with a protrusion 48a.

The protrusion 48a is shown to extend along the side of toe 70 (the side nearest the large toe) and it may extend further longitudinally along the side than shown, or it may extend less in that direction than shown; but in either case, the height in that area may be the highest point of the ridge stopper ridge, if desired. Even if the longitudinal distance is very small, the width in that area can be substantially more than the width of the usually narrow sandal-type thong or material, which can be connected at the top.

Also, in some modifications the high part of the ridge stopper under the toe 68 may extend transversely approximately to a point near the inner side of little toe 64.

* The lowest portion of the ridge stopper may extend is affixed by any conventional means to the under or v inner surface of the forward end of the tongue 30 and underlies the flaps 32 and 34. In some cases the front edge of the pad 45 may extend further forward to prevent the toes from moving too high when the foot is lifted, but the fit must not be so close as to exert pressure on the toes when the foot is at rest.

Disposed in the heel area or quarter of the upper portion are two rectangular pads designated 54 and 56 which are secured by conventional means to the upper portion 16 near the edges thereof. These pads 54 and 56 serve the purpose of preventing slippage of the shoe below the ankle. This provision prevents additional shoe weight at the lacing 28 which would act to loosen the lacing and effect a poor fit at the stopper ridge 46.

The rear edges of both pads can be disposed at about the same distance from the rearmost. point of the shoe. The vertical centerline of the pads is shown to be near the centerline of the wearers ankle, the latter being shown in dotted line in FIG. 3. The heel 14 is unusually low to avoid a steap incline.

Referring to FIG. 2 the shoe 10 has an outline generally designated 60. A wearers foot, shown dotted, is disposed within the outline and is generally designated 62. Foot 62 is shown in two positions, one is a position of rest, (in dotted lines), whereby the toes of the foot 62 designated 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72 are in a position of rest lying right next to each other. The outline shown by the dot and dash lines 74 indicates the position of the toes when the foot is stepped on. It will be noted that dot and dash lines 74 show the small toe 64 and large toe 72 to be in more outward positions from their normal rest positions. A space is shown between the large toe 72 and toe 70 even in the normal rest position. The ridge stopper 46 can be made to fit in that space as will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 2a, 4 and 8. The ridge stopper 46 is disposed transversely to the direction of the insole 12 and of the foot 62. It is generally divided into three sections, a center section 48, and end sections 50 and 52. The shape of the ridge stopper 46 is generally designed to fit the from near the center of little toe 64 to the side of the shoe. Also, in some modifications the height of the ridge stopper behind the three center toes need not be uniform, for example, the height may be less behind I toe 70 than behind toe 68.

The ridge stopper 46 is generally disposed so that when the forward part of the foot body is in contact with the rear wall of the ridge stopper, a substantial distance will 6 remain between the tips of toes 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72 and 76 resting comfortably within shoe 10. The pad 45 is shape of the body of the foot between the large toe 72 i and toe 70 and also where the body of the foot abuts the ridge stopper at the hollow of the foot behind and below the toes approximately in the area below part of the proximal phalanges (not shown). The center section 48 is therefore larger than the end sections in order to fit in the hollow behind center toes 66, 68 and 70 and the smaller end sections 50 and 52 are made to fit in the smaller areas of the hollow portion behind the big toe 72 and the smaller toe 64 (compare FIGS. 3,4and7).

In some modifications the high part 48 of the ridge stopper 46 may extend transversely as far as the inner side of large toe 72. And in the area between toes 70 and 72 it may be even higher than the high part under toe 68, for example as shown in FIGS. Za'and 4a, wherein the central portion 48 isgshown provide d shown disposed directly above the ball of the foot. A second pad 78 is shown between the foot 62 and the rearward and upper portion of the tongue 30 where it is secured via stitching, gluing or the like. The pads 45 and 78 are thick enough and spaced from each other a sufficient distance to prevent pressure on the blood vessel near the surface of the foot running transverse to the length of the foot in the area of the middle portion of the tongue 30. The pads 45 and 78 are longitudinally spaced, with reference to the length of the shoe, for disposition forwardly and rearwardly of the blood vessel and form a tunnel through which the blood vessel may extend. It will be noted that there is no lacing, strap or other pressure on this blood vessel.

Part of the hollow of the foot 62 beneath the proximal phalanges of the toes is shown directly over the ridge stopper 46. The shape of the center section 48 of the stopper ridge 46 is shown to be a wedgeshape, the trailing edge of which conforms to the hollow of the foot at the forwardly facing surface thereof and allowing a space between the toe and the leading edge.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pad 45 extending laterally from the lateral sides 20 to 21 of the shoe 10 is shown to be of any thickness appropriate for comfort. Straps 36 and 38 are buckled to show the snug relationship afforded by the construction thus far described.

The ridge stopper of the invention may be fastened either to the insole 12 or the outer sole 13. In FIG. 3a the latter mode of attachment is shown, in this instance being fastened to the outer sole by a wedge 80. Alternatively, gluing, stitching or other means may be used. The stopper may protrude through the inner sole 12 or, alternatively, the latter may be formed to cover the ridge stopper, partially or completely.

Although the ridge stopper and insole may be a one piece unit, formed, molded or shaped, in the embodiment shown, transversely spaced wedges 80, 81 and 83 can be provided to act as securing means for holding the ridge stopper to the insole 12. The endmost wedges or cleats 81 and 83 may conveniently be left out to allow rotary or pivotal movement of the ridge stopper 46 about the substantially perpendicular axis of the center wedge 80, which under such circumstances should be made straight and smooth at the tip thereof to allow relative movement between it and the ridge.

. This construction may be carried out a little differently as shown in FIG. 11 where a rotary ridge stopper 46a is rotatably journaled in a thick insole 12a. The ridge stopper is formed with a rotating stem 90, which rotates within the bearing surface 91 of the thick insole 12a. The bearing surface may be part of the insole 12a, or, as shown, an extra bearing surface may be provided from material other than the insole, such as metal, and it may be a hollow cylinder having wide flanges 92 on both sides of the thick insole 12a. The flanges may be fastened to the insole 12a by any convenient means.

If desired, the rotary ridge 46a may be fastened to the outer sole. In modifications of my invention, the height of the rotary stopper can also be made adjustable.

In a cross-sectional view such as in FIG. 3, it is seen that the rear outline of the hollow of the foot at the forward part of the ball of the foot is slightly convex. It is this slightly convex and largely vertical portion of the foot body which touches the rear wall of the ridge stopper. The stopper ridge is shaped to conform to the vertical convex form.

As will be seen from the drawings, the foot 62 is made to lie comfortably upon the insole 12 of shoe with the hollow portion of the foot behind the toes positioned directly above to the ridge stopper. When the footwear is being used the tendency exists for the foot, and therefore all of the toes, to move forward. This tendency is prevented by the ridge stopper 46. In order to prevent the foot from slipping over the stopper ridge the straps 36 and 33, together with the flaps 32 and 34 provide snug circumposition of the front of the upper portion 16 of the shoe about the wearers foot, in the forward area thereof above and overlying the ball of the foot, so that the upward motion of the foot which would overcome the stopping effect of ridge stopper 46 is avoided.

The toe portion 18 of the shoe is specifically flared to provide sufficient lateral and forward room for the toes to spread out while pads 54, 56, 45 and 78 are added to provide tighter comfort and circumposition of the shoe about the wearers foot. In the shoe shown, sufficient clearance is provided for the toes at their sides and at their tips so that the toes will be completely out of touch with the lateral and forward parts of the shoe toe portion 18 and abrasion will be completely avoided. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the rear vertical surface of the stopper ridge 46 conforms to the hollow on its rearward slope facing the foot and drops abruptly from the apex at the forward slope behind the toes. This proyides the requisite comfort when the foot tends to move forward and abut the ridge. The rearward force on the foot by the ridge stopper, which is comparatively high and includes a lengthy transverse extension, is distributed over a large area and will reduce the pressure at the individual points.

The shape of the ridge stopper 46 may vary, and the shape of the forward slope of the ridge stopper need not be as vertical as shown in the cross-section of FIG. 3 and could extend further forward under the toes. It is advisable not to substantially fill the space which is ahead of the apex of the ridge and below part of the phalanges, with an unyielding material. A shaped out-sole would generally be considered an unyielding material. With any material used, the benefits of ventilation should be considered, especially in a shoe with an upper where the accumulation of perspiration that encourages athletes foot is to be prevented. This space, normally available in the hollow of a foot whose toes are not displaced by shoe pressure, becomes partly occupied by the forward area of the toes which move down when the weight of the body is carried on the forward part of the foot. The shape of the ridge stopper 46 at its rearward wall, however, should approximately conform to the convex and vertical part of the foot body forming the wall of the hollow of the foot behind the toes and between the large toe and the toe next to it (FIGS. 2a and 4a).

In some modifications the ridge stopper is substantially of the shoe.

located in the space from the area of the forward wall of the ball of the foot adjacent the bases of the toes and downwardly to the insole and rearwards along the contour of the ball of the foot. It is this space which is substantially available for a comparatively high ridge stopper if there is no pressure from a strap or from material of the upper on top of or on the side of a toe or toes, and it is this space which is reduced to an amount suflicient only for a comparatively low or frictional ridge if there is pressure from the upper or a strap on top of or on the side of a toe or toes. The downward pressure forces the contour of the forward wall of the ball of the foot downward and forward causing it to thereby substantially occupy the space. Consequently, the resulting space available for a low frictional ridge is located from the base of the toes forward. Since the ball of the foot will go forward and come down on top of, and partly forward of, the apex of a low ridge unless restrained by pressure on the side of the toes or the instep, etc.; it follows that the material of such a low ridge must be soft if it is to be as comfortable as it can be. A ridge material which is all soft, which is also low, and which faces only the most sloping part of the ball of the foot, will not permanently stop a foot from going forward in a shoe.

With a relatively high ridge stopper spaced rearwardly of the bases of the toes and contacting the forward vertical wall of the ball of the foot for a relatively high distance, the space forward of the bases of the toes is freed from excessive toe weight because the foot does not bear down at the toes where the high stopper is used. Thus, a high ridge stopper need not extend into more forward positions as is the case with low ridge stoppers, and the forward portions of a high stopper may be quite flexible for comfort relative to the toe portions adjacent the high stopper forward wall.

With the use of the present invention, the toes, which are particularly susceptible to abrasion and pressure, are free to move from their position of rest to their displaced position when they are stepped upon or at any time during exercise and without making contact with the inside sides or top of the shoe.

Even in an ordinary shoe, not specifically flared at the toes for accommodation of the wearer, the ridge stopper in accordance with this invention, will minimize fore and aft motion of the toes, thereby preventing abrasion and development of corns and/or calluses on the toes, the fundamental requirement for footwear of the invention being a ridge stopper interrupting forward motion. In this respect, the ridge stopper can be built integral with the insoles which are assembled into ready-made shoes at the factory or may be provided on separate insoles for insertion into existing shoes. The various pads and straps 36 and 38 are optional where a high ridge stopper is used or where a comparatively low ridge stopper is used with a comparatively tight fit at the upper.

For speed in mass production some ridge stoppers without lateral portions 50 and/or 52 could be used. The transverse length could be reduced to approximately only the area between the toes 70 and 72. But, if the length is reduced too much, it will result in added pressure at the contact area. The cross-sectional area of the stopper ridge may be any comfortable design as described.

In some modifications the ridge stopper contact surface with the ball of the foot may be made of pliable material such as soft leather which may extend transversely and be fastened (by any convenient means such as sewing, nails or rivets, etc.) near the left and near the right side The pliable material adjusts itself to the contour of the ball of the foot and still stops the foot from going forward beyond a certain point.

It will be seen that the novel features of this invention can be used not only in shoes, but also in sandals, or boots, or any other type of footwear.

If a strap is pressed down on the toes and against the side of a toe or toes in an ordinary toe portion of a standard shoe, then the space for a transverse ridge could not be higher than the usual space behind the pads of the extreme digits of the foot. A ridge of uniform crosssection of a height sufficient to fit comfortably under the extreme digits would be ineffective to stop forward motion of the foot, especially so if the foot were to strike a solid object such as a stairway step. Without substantial upper leather pressure on the toes and instep the foot would slide forward above the low ridge and the weight of the body would come down with some of the bottom surface of the ball of the foot, not only directly on top of, but partly in front of the apex of the low ridge. Before a step is taken, with weight on a foot, a low ridge is in contact with the soft flesh facing it. When the foot lifts off the ground, an important change in the contour occurs at the lowest part of the foot where it touches the inner sole. The fies-h there that had been pressed horizontal, now becomes inclined, even when some part of the bottom of the ball of the foot retains contact with the inner sole, and the flesh which faced a low ridge is now slanted and above it. In becoming so slanted, the lowest part of the flesh which had been in contact is now further to the rear. This change in location and contour is not only caused by the removal of pressure but also by the additional lifting of the toes, in comparison to the rest of the foot, as the toes automatically change their angle in the joint near the base of the toes when the foot is lifted.

With a foot in a shoe that .permits a high ridge stopper with -a protrusion between the upper portions of the large toe and the toe next adjacent, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 40, there is practically no change of contour of the foot near the upper, largely vertical, stopping surface, and the foot there is firmer, with more effective, efficient resistance.

There is always contact with a sufficiently high ridge stopper and the foot can never go forward beyond a certain location, but with a uniformly low frictional ridge the contact is not continuous and there is no permanent stoppage at a certain desired location, unless undesirable pressure is applied to the toes and the instep by the toe portion sides and the instep leather of the upper.

Additional stopper contact area is of value, since with more total stopper contact area for the same total pressure of a foot there will be less sinking of the stopper into the flesh, more comfort, and more positive stopping as the pressure is better distributed.

In many standard toe width shoes the two outer toes and the toe next to the smallest toe are pressed by the shoe shape with the result that portions of the toe tip pads and the sides of those toes are forced partly against the ball of the foot and partly under portions that would otherwise be the normal positions of other toes. When space near the ball of the foot is occupied by a portion of a displaced toe, it is the more forward (nearly vertical) portion of the ball that is especially touched or almost touched. In such a shoe there is space available, in the case of a uniform height ridge, only for a low, non-stopping, frictional ridge.

The importance of the vertical rise is that the shape demonstrates that a higher portion of the foot is reached instead of just the lower, more gradually sloped portion. Not only is the total height different (and, therefore, the total contact area) but also the fact that the high portion is vertical and directly, efficiently, exerts a real stopping action. A low, gradual slope, alone, would not really stop the foot, but some of the contact pressure would, at times (stubbing the toe), tend to push the foot upwards. A uniformly low ridge would not be substantially contoured to the forward facing wall of the ball of the foot. It is really only a comparatively high ridge which is substantially contoured to the forward facing wall of the ball of the foot which provides the stopping action contemplated by the invention. In FIG. 3 the lowest contact area is shown to be almost horizontal. The highest contact area is shown almost vertical. The

cooperation between a shoe wider than usual at the toe portion and the ridge stopper is such that the large toe is not pressed against the next toe, thereby making avail-' able additional contact of the wall of the ball of the foot so that the ridge stopper can exert itself in the added area between those two toes. This area between the large and next adjacent toe can be utilized by itself with a th ong for efficient stopping as will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 8-10.

A foot can never go forward beyond a certain location if a ridge stopper which is substantially contoured .to the. foot is used. And such a ridge stopper can achieve that objective without any stopping pressure on the instep of the foot and also without any stopping pressure on the side, top or the front surface of any toe or toes.

Strap 36 shown in FIG. 3 is behind the toes and it and strap 38 do not put pressure on the top or side of a toe or toes. The location of the strap cooperates, in similar fashion, like a wider than usual toe portion of a shoe, with the large contact area of the ridge stopper made possible by non-interference of the toes with the space available. Not only is there space between large toe 72 and toe 70, but the toes are not forced sideways against each other and partly against the ball of the foot. If a strap was provided on top of the toes, their bottom surface, which would normally be at a somewhat sharp inclination to the sole, would be pushed down. This would result in the normal inclination almost disappearing and the toes bottom surface becoming almost completely horizontal. The height of the space below the base of the toes would be that of only a frictional low ridge. In a wider than usual toe portion shoe, or in a shoe with a properly placed strap, the substantial area of the potential forward contact surface of the ball of the foot is mainta ned, and measured for construction of the ridge stopper, without toe pressure from the upper and without pressure from a strap above or on the side of a toe or toes; and :vhen standing, the toes being in a normal, relaxed posiion.

In a further embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 7 and 7a), forward motion of the foot is prevented even when the structure is such that the foot would tend to rise above the top of the ridge stopper. In this case, the ridge stopper surface is vertically movable but restricted in horizontal motion. The contact surface of the ridge stopper retains its conforming shape while it rises With the foot. The area of contact between the ridge stopper and the foot would thus remain substantially constant and obviate the need for a strap. In some modifications a material, composed at least partly of rubber or other expandable or compressible material, covers the apex of the ridge. In the alternative, the upper part of the ridge stopper may be made of such material. This permits the height of the ridge stopper, when walking, etc., to be either greater or less than the height of the ridge stopper in the normal standing position.

In some modifications, the ridge stopper may be made so that the height thereof, in its lowest vertically adjusted height, is less than its height with the foot in a usual standing position. With the foot normally standing, the ridge stopper would be at least partly raised. Consequently, in the various positions of the foot in walking, etc., there is room for the stopper to descend below the height it was disposed at in the standing position.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a, the ridge stopper 46ml is formed with one or more vertically adjustable slides 480a. The slides 48ml may be of varying height to form a desired ridge stopper contour. In FIG. 7 a cross-section of a slide 48cm is shown in the lowermost position, with its upward raising or biasing means 94 entirely compressed. The biasing means 94 can be a spring arrangement, expandable rubber, or the like. In FIG. 7a the spring 94 is shown disposed in a retaining sleeve or case 99, which is anchored to the insole. The outer sides of the spring cavity in the slide move vertically along the closely fitting sides ofthe spring case 99. The forward vertical surface of the slide 48aa can move along a retaining wall section 100, extending partially or totally before the slide and being anchored to the lower, fixed parts of the sole. In FIG. 7a the slide 48aa is shown in the upper, extended position, the lower position being partially indicated by a dotted line.

If the vertically adjustable ridge stopper 4611a is composed of more slides 4811a, these can be disposed under a common cover sheeting 98, so as to maintain smooth continuity between the slides 4811a disposed at different heights as the position of the foot requires them to be. The sheeting material may be totally or partly of an elastic material to maintain the sheeting in a smooth, stretched condition at any position of the slides 48aa. The provision of a vertically rising ridge stopper would prove especially valuable to replace the high portion 48a between the toes 70 and 72. Regardless of the height of a stopper, in the extended position between the toes 70 and 72, a vertically adjusted stopper in that area would make it easier for the foot to enter the shoe, since the front of the pad of the large toe, when entering, could push down the stopper to any convenient lower position.

In another form of the invention, the transverse length of the stopper is limited to extend between the large toe and the second toe. Such a laterally limited stopper could be made a fixed one, extending upward from the insole 12, in which it is anchored, or from the outsole 13, and, it may be of the upward biased type, similar to the one shown in FIG. 7 and 7a, providing vertical accommodation, which is particularly important Where a small contact area stopper is used and the pressure on the foot is concentrated in the smaller contact area.

The other advantages of such a vertically adjusting stopper have been described in connection with the embodiment shown and described with reference to FIGS. 7

and 7a.

The limited transverse length stopper may be modified as shown in FIGS. 8-10, to be mounted upon a vertical rod or thong 148a attached at its lower end to the insole 112, and at its upper end to the upper 116. In some modifications this type of stopper, and other types of stoppers, can be attached at its lower end to the outsole. The thong 148a is surrounded in one modification by a sleeve stopper of contoured configuration 148 (FIG. and in another modification by a more simple noncontoured sleeve stopper 148k (FIG. 9). The sleeve construction is thus disposed between the foot and the thong and permits movement thereof up (dotted indication in FIG. 9) and down on the rod 148a with the movements of the foot eliminating direct friction between foot and stopper. The height of the stopper sleeve 148, 14811 is such that it is stopped in its upward travel on the rod 148a upon striking the upper 116. As the sleeves shown are rotatable on the rod, the length of the contoured stopper may be greater along the side of the second toe than shown to eliminate the chance of placing the foot into the shoe with the stopper facing the wrong way.

The stopper sleeve 148 is formed with a contour to provide stopper pressure on the ball of the foot. In addition, the sides of the stopper sleeve 148b may be beveled at their lower ends (not shown), so as to assure the correct positioning of the stopper sleeve relative to the foot when the foot enters the shoe. This is especially of value when a thin rod or thin thong is used. Also, the possibility of the skin being pinched during the entry of the foot, is eliminated.

The sleeve 148, 148b may be of rigid or pliable resilient material, the latter providing lateral compression via the pressure of the toes. Similarly, the rod 148a may be rigid or pliable; if pliable, then the ends of the chanel in the stopper 148, 148b should be countersunk to prevent binding.

When a rigid sleeve is mounted on a pliable rod or thong, the channel should be shaped to conform, gen- 10 erally, to the outline along the forward surfaces of the ball of the foot.

Transverse adjustability of these limited transverse width stoppers may be provided.

Finally, it should be appreciated, with reference to the stopper sleeve type of arrangement, that it can be incorporated in a ridge stopper of full transverselength.

The stopper sleeve embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be advantageously combined with a shoe having an extra long tongue, i.e. where the opening where the foot enters and which is subsequently laced, extends approximately all the way to the toes, as previously mentioned. When entering such a shoe, the stopper sleeve is to be held in an upper position by hand as the toe slides past the stopper into the shoe, and there is no stubbing of the toes against the stopper. Just before the foot is entirely in the shoe, the sleeve can be released to its normal position.

The design of the upper, including the length of the tongue, i.e. the lacing slit, will largely depend on the width of the stopper rod or thong between the toes.. If the thong or rod is wider, the lacing slit, i.e., the tongue has to be longer too, to provide the necessary ease of entry.

If the upper of the shoe is ventilated such as in the case of sandals, the tongue, i.e., the lacing slit does not have to be as long; here a projection can be provided for the stopper sleeve which can range through one of the apertures in the ventilated upper for holding the sleeve in an upper position during the entry of the foot, and depressing the sleeve by the projection slightly before the foot is entirely in the shoe. In the alternative, e.g. if there is no aperture in the upper, the projection of the sleeve may be provided with a button on the top and a part of the upper, at least above the button, may be made of an elastic material, whereby the stopper sleeve may be lifted and held in the upper position during the entry of the foot.

Another method whereby the stopper sleeve may be held in the upper position during the entry of the foot into the shoe involves the making of the sleeve at least partially from a ferromagnetic material. In this case the stopper sleeve may be held in its upper position by placing a small magnet onto the upper.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown herein in some detail, it will be obvious that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that the invention be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for stopping forward movements of a foot in a shoe having an inner surface underlying and downwardly spaced from the top portion and forward portion of the upper and comprising ridge stopper means for extending transversely of said inner surface and for positioning rearwardly of the forwardmost point of the toe portion for underlying and extending into the hollow of the foot forwardly of the front wall of the ball of the foot, a rearward wall of said ridge stopper means being shaped to conform to the shape of the front wall of the ball of the foot and for extending upwardly sufficiently relative to the forward portion of the upper so that the space between said ridge stopper means and the overlying surfaces of said upper vertically confine the foot and forward movement of the foot is thereby impeded, and means centrally of said ridge stopper means for securing the same upon said inner surface for rotational adjustment thereof about an axis perpendicular to said inner surface.

2. Means for stopping forward movement of a foot in a shoe having an inner surface underlying and downwardl spaced from the top portion and forward portion of the upper and comprising ridge stopper means for extending transversely of said inner surface and for positiOning rearwardly of the foremost point of the toe portion for underlying and extending into the hollow of the foot forwardly of the front wall of the ball of the foot, a rearward wall of said wedge stopper means being shaped to conform to the shape of the front wall of the ball of the foot and for extending upwardly sufficiently relative to the forward portion of the upper so that the space between said ridge stopper means and the overlying surfaces of said upper vertically confine the foot and forward movement of the foot is thereby impeded, and means for biasing said ridge stopper means upwardly whereby constant engagement between the walls of the hollow of the foot and the ridge stopper means is retained.

3. Means for stopping forward movement of a foot in a shoe having an'inner surface underlying and downwardly spaced from the toe portion and forward portion of the upper and comprising ridge stopper means for extending transversely of said inner surface and for positioning rearwardly of the foremost point of the toe portion for underlying and extending into the hollow of the foot forwardly of the front wall of the ball of the foot, a rearward wall of said ridge stopper means being shaped to conform to the shape of the front wall of the ball of the foot and for extending upwardly sufficiently relative to the forward portion of the upper so that the space between said ridge stopper means and the overlying surfaces of said upper vertically confine the foot and forward movement of the foot is thereby impeded, said ridge stopper means protruding upwardly adjacent its end underlying that portion of the hollow of the foot beneath the large toe and next adjacent toe, the protrusion formed thereby extending between the large toe and next adjacent toe and providing additional vertical contact between said ridge stopper means and the foot.

4. Means for stopping the forward movements of the foot in a shoe according to claim 3 wherein pad means is secured beneath the undersurfaces of the front portion of the upper and overlying the ball of the foot, said pad extending inwardly of the shoe for bearing on the foot and for providing a snug fit of said shoe on the foot in the area of said ridge stopper means whereby vertical movement of the foot above said ridge stopper means is further impeded.

5. Means for stopping the forward movements of a foot in a shoe according to claim 4 wherein said shoe 'further comprises a quarter portion for surrounding the lower portions of the ankle thereof and ankle pad means are provided on either side of the quarter of the shoe for. hearing on the ankle for restraining movement between the ankle and said shoe.

6. Means for stopping the forward movement of a foot in a shoe according to claim 4 where adjusting means are provided on the front portion of the shoe and overlying the ball of the foot and said pad means for tightening and loosening the fit of said pad means upon the foot in the area above the ball of the foot.

7. Means for stopping the forward movements of a foot in a shoe comprising the combination in a shoe having an inner upwardly facing surface underlying and downwardly spaced from the toe portion and forward portion of the upper, of a stopper element extending between said inner surface and said upper and positioned for extending between the large and next adjacent toe of the foot of the wearer, said stopper element comprising a rod and a portion surrounding said rod, said portion being formed at its rear surface to conform with the forward wall of the ball of the foot in the area of said toes, said portion surrounding said rod being movable vertically thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,463,278 7/1923 Yeager 128-581 X 1,554,883 9/ 1925 Sahlin 128-81 1,699,883 1/1929 Fosmoe 128-596 1,730,466 10/1929 Malott 128-581 1,845,031 2/1932 Arthur 128-581 1,867,679 7/1932 Riehle 128-621 2,043,396 6/1936 Schnellbacher 128-599 2,129,321 9/1938 Guerin 128-599 2,139,858 12/1938 Schwartz 128-581 X 2,381,846 8/1945 Thomas 128-581 2,734,285 2/1956 Levitt 128-589 X FOREIGN PATENTS 497,328 11/ 1953 Canada. 234,250 1/ 1945 Switzerland.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, LOUIS PRINCE, Examiners.

S. BRODER, Assistant Examiner. 

3. MEANS FOR STOPPING FORWARD MOVEMENT OF A FOOT IN A SHOE HAVING AN INNER SURFACE UNDERLYING AND DOWNWARDLY SPACED FROM THE TOE PORTION AND FORWARD PORTION OF THE UPPER AND COMPRISING RIDGE STOPPER MEANS FOR EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID INNER SURFACE AND FOR POSITIONING REARWARDLY OF THE FOREMOST POINT OF THE TOE PORTION FOR UNDERLYING AND EXTENDING INTO THE HOLLOW OF THE FOOT FORWARDLY OF THE FRONT WALL OF THE BALL OF THE FOOT, A REARWARD WALL OF SAID RIDGE STOPPER MEANS BEING SHAPED TO CONFORM TO THE SHAPE OF THE FRONT WALL OF THE BALL OF THE FOOT AND FOR EXTENDING UPWARDLY SUFFICIENTLY RELATIVE TO THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE UPPER SO THAT THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID RIDGE STOPPER MEANS AND THE OVERLYING SURFACES OF SAID UPPER VERTICALLY CONFINE THE FOOT AND FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE FOOT IS THEREBY IMPEDED, SAID RIDGE STOPPER MEANS PROTRUDING UPWARDLY ADJACENT ITS END UNDERLYING THAT PORTION OF THE HOLLOW OF THE FOOT BENEATH THE LARGE TOE AND NEXT ADJACENT TOE, THE PROTRUSION FORMED THEREBY EXTENDING BETWEEN THE LARGE TOE AND NEXT ADJACENT TOE AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL VERTICAL CONTACT BETWEEN SAID RIDGE STOPPER MEANS AND THE FOOT. 